Newsies OneShots

Platonic Love- Les, Sally

Les read the note one more time, crumpling it up in his hand. He shook his head as he kicked a fake rock.

His theater teacher wanted him to dress as the knight in shining armor, taking him away from his regular duty as tech. He wouldn't mind it if there wasn't one specific thing wrong.

He had to kiss Sally, one of his best friends.

It was at this point he figured out teachers ship students. "This is so stupid."

"I agree", Sally murmured, listening to the teacher drone on. "I can't believe this. Bryan isn't even sick!"

"They ship us", Les rolls his eyes, glancing at her. "How am I going to tell Books I might have to kiss my ex girlfriend on stage?"

Sally shrugged, wrapping her arms around her body. "Sorry this is so awkward."

"It's not your fault."

For the remainder of their rehearsals, the two of them avoided kissing each other as much as they could. The director would always recommend it, and they would politely decline, running off stage giggling.

Les eventually did tell Books, and he wasn't happy about it- who would be happy to be told their partner would have to kiss someone else?- but he didn't make it a big deal. Les could see it was going to be awkward around Sally for a while, though.

He was somewhat prepared for that.

——————

Opening night.

Les was staring into Sally's eyes, waiting for her to finish her line. Then we do it.

Sally stopped time with her performance, the audience waiting on the very edge of their seats. Les looked at Sally, and she looked at him, drowning in the anticipation. Ready?

Always. Sally put her hand out the same time as Les, slapping them together. Their hands moved in intricate patterns, the audience laughing along. Sally and Les had huge smiles on their faces.

"Tarzan and Jane are swingin' on a vine", Les shouted, grinning widely. Sally responded with her own rhyme, getting the audience to start clapping.

They grabbed hands, one facing the audience the other facing away, and shook their hips side to side, turning around and repeating. The audience laughed louder the longer this went on.

Les and Sally grinned at each other as they high fived and swung their hands at their sides, hitting their arms and clapping under their knees. They were having fun, that's for sure.

And this was way better than a kiss.

By the time they finished, the audience was already on their feet, clapping and shouting. Les looked at the front row, seeing Books being the loudest of them all. He smiled wider, resuming with the play.

At the end, Sally and Les were standing near the back exit of the school, talking. Les felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around him and pick him up. "Sammy!"

Books laughed as Les giggled, kissing him on the cheek. "You were amazing!"

"You don't have to tell me something I already know", Les responds sassily, hugging his boyfriend. "Thank you for coming. Seriously."

"I wouldn't miss it", Books whispers, looking at Sally. "Even if your best friend were to kiss you."

Sally chuckled, shaking her head. "I wouldn't even drink after him."

Les gasped in faux offense, placing a hand on his chest. "Betrayed by my own kind!"

Books and Sally laughed at his antics, catching up with their group of friends. Although it wasn't the original plan, it was an awesome compromise.

And totally worth the punishment of not being cast in the next play.